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Re: Ribbon microphones [gear]

Subject: Re: Ribbon microphones [gear]
From: "Lou Judson" inaudio
Date: Fri Nov 16, 2007 7:33 pm ((PST))
Thanks. Correction accepted...

<L>
On Nov 16, 2007, at 10:24 AM, Nick Roast wrote:

Both the FEL MicBoosters normally pass phantom on to the microphone
though the MB1 (20-40 dB gain) has an internal switch to block the
phantom if required. The baby will be safe!

In a future version of the MicBooster MB-1 this switch will be
accessible externally.

Nick Roast.   FEL Communications

--- In  Lou Judson <>  
wrote:
>
> My practice is to consider ALL ribbon mics vulnerable to phantom
> damage, to keep them all safe, even though if properly wired
> hopefully none of them will be damaged unless there is a wiring fault.
>
> Kinda like not dropping ANY babies, even if the one you hold may not
> get hurt when you drop her. Just sensible practice. Ignore at your
> peril (and the baby's!).
>
> Image this: Your $2,000 mic (or a rented or borrowed one) is up on a
> stand at a concert, and a lady in spike heels takes a misstep even
> though you ran the cable carefully and taped it down. Heel pierces
> shield, shorts inner conductor to shield, and you hear a POP in the
> monitor... lost recording AND expensive repair, just because the
> phantom was on unnecessarily... (or you are in the field and a
> critter decides to take a bite out of your cable...)
>
> Believe it or not, I have dreams like this occasionally... Just don't
> do it! No phantom on any ribbons. If your mixer (or recorder, etc.)
> has global phantom, either get a better one or don't use ribbons.
>
> Sorry, I know we are off topic but it is all valuable to know.
>
> <L>
> On Nov 16, 2007, at 6:41 AM, Richard Humphries wrote:
>
>> I read recently that only _some_ ribbon mics are damaged by phantom
>> power. It has something to do with how the transformer within the mic
>> is tapped. Since I don't own any ribbons the details are fuzzy in my
>> mind. I think I read this on the micbuilders list.
>>
>>
>> The point is only that you may not need to worry about the recorder
>> passing phantom power depending on which ribbon mic you own. But I'd
>> check with the manufacturer just to be sure.
>>
>>
>> -Richard
>




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